Four Seasons Yachts Marks A Major Sea Change in ‘Cruising’
There are hotel brands that follow hospitality standards—and then there are those rare few that set those standards.
For more than sixty years, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts has represented the gold standard of intuitive service, thoughtful design, and culinary excellence. Arguably one of the world’s most recognized brands, “Four Seasons” has become synonymous with luxury. Now, for the first time in its history, this legacy is being translated from land to sea.
For travelers who have long trusted Four Seasons on land, this debut is more than a launch—it’s reason alone to convert non-cruisers to cruise curious.
In March 2026, Four Seasons I will set sail, beginning a new chapter not only for the brand, but for modern maritime travel. This all-suite yacht is Four Seasons reimagined. On board, guests will enjoy the intimacy of just ninety-five accommodations and a one-to-one staff ratio, the embodiment of a commitment to elevating every moment at sea. For travelers who have long trusted Four Seasons on land, this debut is more than a launch—it’s reason alone to convert non-cruisers to cruise curious. And if Four Seasons Yachts has anything to say about it, one day, loyal guests at sea.
Reimagining a Global Icon for the Open Water
…Four Seasons I was conceived not as a floating resort and not as a cruise ship, but as a private superyacht scaled for 200 guests.
For Four Seasons to enter yachting means taking the elements the brand is beloved for—residential-feeling design, meticulous craftsmanship, intuitive service—and translating them into an environment where movement, discovery, and freedom shape the day. Four Seasons I was conceived not as a floating resort and not as a cruise ship, but as a private superyacht scaled for 200 guests. That distinction matters. The vessel’s generous proportions allow for immersive public spaces and expansive suites, while maintaining the intimacy and quiet luxury that define the Four Seasons experience.
Across the yacht, the brand’s signature warmth is unmistakable: staff who anticipate preferences you never voiced, design that feels effortless rather than opulent, and a philosophy that every touchpoint should feel instinctive, never imposed. Where many vessels focus on spectacle, Four Seasons I focuses on ease—how light moves through a space, how a guest transitions from sunrise swim to afternoon tea, how the yacht can expand or contract around their mood. This is hospitality not as performance, but as presence.
Design as a Way of Living
At the heart of the vessel’s vision is world-renowned style consultant Prosper Assouline, whose approach distills the essence of seaside living into a series of spaces that feel sculptural, humane, and quietly glamorous. His influence is felt in the yacht’s fluid circulation, the interplay of textures, and the subtle nods to yachting heritage woven into each distinct part of the yacht.
For guests accustomed to Four Seasons’ urban penthouses and villa offerings, their seaborne equivalent is sure to deliver.
Yet, it’s the suites that truly are turning heads before the vessel has even officially launched. They are among the largest in the industry, designed as modern residences rather than cabins. Floor-to-ceiling windows erase boundaries between interior and horizon; private terraces offer sweeping views, and the materials echo the calm of sea and sky. The result is a sanctuary that feels both personal and profound. For guests accustomed to Four Seasons’ urban penthouses and villa offerings, their seaborne equivalent is sure to deliver.
But the in-suite innovation runs deeper. These suites “think” for the guest: light adjusts to circadian rhythms, privacy responds to movement, and climate shifts before comfort is compromised. Cutting-edge technology also promises to allow the space to operate with a kind of quiet intelligence. For instance, suites will have televisions that are first of their kind, visible when you want to queue something up, and invisible at the foot of your bed (which naturally, faces a window) when you don’t.
The Social Architecture of Escape
One of the greatest triumphs of Four Seasons I is its reimagining of communal spaces—not as programmed venues, but as environments that evolve with the day’s rhythm. At the heart of the yacht is “The Salon,” a luminous gathering space framed by wraparound windows. Mornings begin with pistachio croissants and bento-box breakfasts; afternoons shift to tea service and live piano; evenings spark conversation among newfound friends. Like the world’s best hotel living rooms, it serves as both backdrop and hive of activity.
On select voyages, the transverse marina unfurls both port and starboard, creating a vast floating resort that immerses guests in sunlit adventure and barefoot leisure.
Outdoors, “Piscine” channels mid-century yachting glamour: a pool by day that converts into an open-air dance floor by night, thanks to its hydraulic floor rising for late-evening revelry. For those seeking retreat, “Horizon Lounge” offers a Moroccan-accented adults-only hideaway perched high atop the yacht. Here, moody cocktails, Levantine mezze, and views stretch endlessly across passing coastlines. At sea level, the “Marina” transforms from a nook perfect for taking your morning espresso to a watersports hub and twilight lounge, anchoring the yacht’s connection to the ocean. On select voyages, the transverse marina unfurls both port and starboard, creating a vast floating resort that immerses guests in sunlit adventure and barefoot leisure. Every space is designed not to fill time, but to expand it.
Where Four Seasons Yachts Sails
Four Seasons Yachts approaches itineraries with the same intent it brings to its hotels: connection, discovery, and insider access are at the heart of each sailing. Itineraries across the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Adriatic anchor in destinations celebrated not only for their beauty but for their cultural resonance—think: Croatia’s storied coastline, Montenegro’s fjords, Göcek’s hidden coves, Porto Cervo’s glamour. Voyages are unhurried, allowing travelers to slip into the cadence of each region.
The emphasis is always the same: fewer stops, deeper immersion, and a sense of discovery…
During winter in the Caribbean, itineraries center on natural splendor and coastal intimacy, where guests will have the chance to explore tranquil bays, volcanic landscapes, and island communities where the yacht docks not in crowded ports but in cinematic seclusion. The emphasis is always the same: fewer stops, deeper immersion, and a sense of discovery shaped by the yacht’s ability to reach harbors inaccessible to larger vessels. Notably, the inaugural season will also be helmed by Captain Kate McCue, one of the most respected and recognizable captains in the industry, bringing her signature warmth, expertise, and global fanbase to Four Seasons Yachts.
Grand Touring: Freedom on Your Terms
One of the most defining innovations aboard Four Seasons I is the “Grand Touring” program—an elevated way to explore shoreside destinations through two custom-built vessels. The Limo Tender is discreet opulence reimagined: a floating private lounge with curved glass, a climate-controlled cabin, and a champagne service that rises theatrically at the touch of a button. The Beachlander, its sportier sibling, is part performance craft, part beach-landing marvel—able to glide directly onto remote shores, pivot from snorkel base to culinary drop-off, and embrace adventure with effortless style.
Tastes That Travel With You: Eleven Venues, Infinite Possibilities
If culinary artistry is a hallmark of Four Seasons on land, then Four Seasons I becomes its most ambitious stage yet. Eleven dining (and drinking!) venues redefine what gastronomy can look like at sea. Plus, ingredients are sourced throughout the voyage from fish handed over by a local fisherman that morning to herbs plucked from a market garden hours before service, ensuring guests can expect seasonal flavors carried onboard from port to plate.
“Terrasse” serves morning pastries inspired by the region the yacht sails through—pan de coco in the Caribbean, pain au chocolat on the Riviera. “Pistachio” showcases filled-to-order cruffins, French viennoiserie, and a serious espresso program. “Miuna” brings an intimate omakase experience to sea, its hinoki counter serving fish flown from the world’s great markets or pulled from local waters when they meet exacting standards.
At “Bar Piscine,” poolside fare is paired with dramatic rosé trolleys and carved-ice cocktails. “Champagne & Caviar” celebrates refinement on an open-air terrace. “Bar O,” the yacht’s ode to golden-age mixology, houses sea-aged spirits and some of the best martinis imaginable. And at the pinnacle sits “Sedna” where a multi-course, French-inspired dining experience guided by Four Seasons’ most celebrated culinary talent, complemented by rare vintages and vertical wine collections seldom seen at sea.
This rotating talent model ensures menus evolve continuously throughout the season, reflecting both destination and chef-driven creativity.
The culinary program is overseen by Four Seasons’ global food and beverage leadership, with an onboard executive chef and a brigade whose background spans Michelin-recognized restaurants, flagship Four Seasons properties, and regional specialists brought on for particular sailings. This rotating talent model ensures menus evolve continuously throughout the season, reflecting both destination and chef-driven creativity. It’s important to note that, unlike traditional cruises, meals aboard Four Seasons I are not included in the voyage fare. This intentional choice mirrors the brand’s resort model—giving guests the freedom to dine selectively across the yacht’s eleven distinct venues, each priced à la carte and designed to offer maximum flexibility and creativity.
Centered by the Sea: A Reimagining of Wellness
Wellness aboard Four Seasons I is less a program and more a rhythm—something you drift into, shaped by curiosity rather than obligation. The yacht’s spa, “L’Oceana,” offers a modern interpretation of ancient rituals: a twelve-seat hammam, infrared sauna, cold plunge, ocean-view thermal circuit, cryotherapy chamber, and treatment rooms designed for both solitude and connection.
Four Seasons has always understood that luxury is personal.
Fitness unfolds intuitively: sunrise bow meditations, AI-driven movement assessments, or paddleboarding straight from the marina. Culinary wellness complements indulgence rather than replaces it—nutrient-rich dishes appear alongside classic comforts, guided by visiting chefs, nutritionists, and educators. And naturally, sleep and recovery are integrated into the very architecture of the suites, from custom mattresses to circadian-supportive lighting. Four Seasons has always understood that luxury is personal. Onboard Four Seasons Yachts, wellness follows the same philosophy.
Marina Days: Four Seasons Yacht’s Love Letter to the Sea
On select voyages, the dedicated marina day becomes the voyage’s gravitational center—a full day devoted to barefoot leisure in a secluded bay far from any port. The transverse marina opens on both sides, revealing expansive platforms and an inflatable dock rivaling the size of a boutique resort. Guests flow between action and serenity with Foils, electric surfboards, pedal-powered water bikes, custom snorkeling bases, an ocean pool protected from jellyfish, shaded lounges, and a breezy marina bar. This is the purest expression of what makes yachting magical: no schedule, no rush, just the simple joy of being exactly where you are.
Who Will Love This Product
Four Seasons Yachts promises to resonate deeply with:
- Loyal Four Seasons guests who want the brand’s warmth and precision in a new environment
- Design-driven travelers drawn to residential luxury
- Yachting clients craving an intimate alternative to large-ship cruising
- Culinary travelers seeking destination-inspired cuisine
- Wellness-minded travelers who crave restoration without rigidity
- Couples, families, and multi-gen groups seeking privacy paired with impeccably orchestrated service
- Adventurers who prioritize rare access and unhurried discovery
Why This Matters for Travelers
Four Seasons Yachts represents a pivotal evolution for a brand that has shaped the hospitality landscape for decades. It is a statement of intent: that luxury today is defined not by excess, but by intimacy, personalization, and the seamless blending of exploration with comfort.
For guests, the value is clear. This is not simply a new way to cruise—it is a new way to experience the world’s coastlines. Imagine waking in a suite that responds to you, dining on ingredients sourced hours before plating, stepping into watersports crafted for all ages, and ending the day under a starlit sky at Horizon Lounge as the coastline drifts past. Four Seasons I offers the familiarity of a brand you trust with the thrill of a journey that feels entirely new.
A New Era Sets Sail
When Four Seasons I embarks on its inaugural voyages, it will mark more than the debut of a yacht—it will signal a transformative moment for luxury travel. A moment where hospitality’s most iconic name expands its legacy onto the open water, where design and discovery merge, and where every voyage becomes a masterclass in how luxury can feel both effortless and extraordinary.
For travelers seeking the next evolution of Four Seasons, the ocean is calling—and this time, it comes with a horizon that stretches as widely as the brand’s own ambition.
Curious about booking your own voyage? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor.
